Definitions and Perspectives on Disability

Please Note: In this and other chapters the material we quote contains phrases and labels which are offensive. We have left the language as it appeared at the time. This gives a much better understanding of how people thought at the time.

Gunnar Dybwad

".. the question 'Whom do we call mentally retarded?' comes into sharp focus and brings forth a rather disturbing answer. We call mentally retarded those whom we choose to call so."
(Dybwad, 1974)

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center, the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.